The DeForest Water Utility has a long history of providing safe, reliable drinking water to the community. This page shares information about fluoride in the Village’s water system and where residents can learn more about the topic and the community discussion.

On May 19, 2026, the Village Board approved the reintroduction of fluoride to the Village's municipal water system following discussion, review, and Village Board consideration.

The Village is moving forward with a phased implementation process that will occur over several months as equipment is installed and placed into service. Because of the phased approach approved by the Village Board, fluoride will be introduced to portions of the water system before it is fully implemented across all Village wells.

Current project timelines anticipate:

• Wells 3 and 4 beginning fluoride treatment no sooner than January 19, 2027.
• Wells 2 and 6 beginning fluoride treatment no sooner than July 19, 2027.

These dates represent the current project schedule and may be adjusted if needed.

This page will continue to serve as the community's source for information regarding fluoride in DeForest's water system.

The DeForest Water Utility (“Utility”) has a proud tradition of providing safe and healthy drinking water to its residents and visitors.

Around 2007, the DeForest Water Utility, which includes wells 2, 3, and 4 and services the northern half of the Village, acquired the Token Creek Water District (“Token Creek”), which includes well 6, from the Town of Burke. Token Creek services the southern portion of DeForest and areas within the Town of Burke. Well 6 has never treated its water with fluoride, whereas wells 2, 3, and 4 do treat water with fluoride.

In 2021, the two water systems were merged to one unified DeForest Water Utility with the addition of a booster station to balance the differing elevations.

In 2024, the chemical pumps in wells 2, 3, and 4 began to show signs of deterioration and failure which prompted the staff to further investigate the cost to replace the pumps and consider adding fluoride, along with the facility improved necessary to store fluoride, to Well 6. Following the initial investigation and consideration of possible impacts of fluoride to health of staff, allegations of health impacts to water system users, operational concerns, and financial impacts; the proposal for removing fluoride from the system was first introduced to the Public Services Commission at its November 18, 2024 meeting and the Village Board on November 19, 2024.